Fisher & Lawrie, Architects
Principals:
George Lee Fisher, Architect, Omaha, Nebraska
Harry Lawrie, Architect, Omaha, Nebraska
Fisher & Lawrie was one of the largest architectural firms during its existence, making a large impact on the build environment of Omaha and the Midwest.[20] The partners were members of the Architectural Board for the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, which was held in Omaha, 1897-1898.[14:134]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Omaha, Nebraska, 1893-1913
Lineage of the Firm
1881-1885: Dufrene & Mendelssohn, Omaha, Nebraska.
1885-1886: Mendelssohn & Fisher, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.
1887: Mendelssohn & Lawrie, Omaha, Nebraska.
1888-1893: Mendelssohn, Fisher & Lawrie, Omaha, Nebraska.
1893-1913: Fisher & Lawrie, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.[e]
Other Associations
ca. 1887-ca. 1907: employed William E. Stockham, draftsman (at some unspecified time during this period).
1911: employed Fred V. Thomas, draftsman.
Buildings & Projects
Dated
1880s
Paxton-Gallagher Warehouses (1878, 1882, 1892), 901-909 Jones, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0121-086)
Sacred Heart Church (1887), 2218 Binney St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0140-006)
Sattley Manufacturing Building (1889, 1906), 1001-1005 Jones, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0121-035)
1890s
John Withnell-Barton House (1892-1993), 3522 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[12][13:123][17][18] (DO09:0210-001)
Proposal for Lincoln Convention Hall (1892), Lincoln, Nebraska.[8]
McCord Brady Warehouse (1892, 1900, 1911), 724 S. 12th, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18][c] (DO09:0121-032)
John L. Carey house (1893), 1312 S 32nd St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:86][18] (DO09:0204-095)
President Gerald Ford Birthplace site (1893), 3202 Woolworth Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0204-010)
Old University Library (1894), University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[7] (LC13:C09-007)
First Baptist Church (1894-1895), 7th & 2nd Corso, Nebraska City, Nebraska.[17] (OT06:A-029)
Grand Army of the Republic Hall (1894-1895), 908 First Corso, Nebraska City, Nebraska.[17][21] (OT06:A-042)
Calvin Chapman house (1895), 601 1st Ave, Nebraska City, Nebraska.[17] (OT06:B-028)
Elijah D. Marnell house (ca. 1895), 1622 1st Ave, Nebraska City, Nebraska.[17] (OT06:C-017)
State Institute for the Blind (ca. 1895), NW corner 8th & 11th Ave., Nebraska City, Nebraska. (OT06:G-020)
Stevenson Building (1895), Nebraska City, Nebraska.
C. F. Warren Building (1895), Nebraska City, Nebraska.
A. A. Forbes House (1895), Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Morton-James Public Library (1896-1897), Nebraska City, Nebraska. (OT06:A-006)
Richard R. Evans House (1897), 632 S. 38th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0317-021)
Liberal Arts Building (1898), Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, Omaha, Nebraska.[14:107][14:123-25][15]
Auditorium (1898), Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, Omaha, Nebraska.[14:121][16]
C. J. Smyth house (1898), 1113 S 31st St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:82][18] (DO09:0204-045)
1900s
Carnegie Library (1900-1905), 14th & N, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][3][10][28]
H. J. Lee Warehouse (1900), 814-24 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0068-005)
Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1900-1902), 2206 Binney, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:106][17][18] (DO09:0140-006) or (DO09:0140-158) National Register narrative
D. M. Woodward House (1901), 3616 Lincoln Blvd., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0325-010)
Fremont Carnegie Library (1901), Fremont, Nebraska.[10]
Valentine Neumann House (ca. 1901), 400 N Thomas Ave, Oakland, Nebraska.[##]
Second Presbyterian Church (1902-1904), Lincoln, Nebraska.[23][h]
Proposal for Kearney Carnegie Library, (1903), Kearney, Nebraska. [27]
Building (1903), 976 N. 25th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18]
Omaha Fire Station No.1 (1903-1904), 514 S. 11th, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:45][17][18] (DO09:0121-038)
St. Patrick's Catholic Church (1904), McCook, Nebraska.[29]
Addition, Nebraska Moline Plow Company Warehouse (1904), 802 Leavenworth St., Omaha.[13:141][d] (DO09:0067-003)
A. Niedds house (1904), 921 S 33rd St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:90][18] (DO09:0206-013)
Rowhouse (1904), 2616 Dewey Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0209-049)
House (1904), 1418 S.10th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0115-159)
House (1904), 1414 S.10th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0115-158)
Sacred Heart Catholic School (1904, 1927), Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0140-006) or (DO09:0140-158) National Register narrative
Omaha Presbyterian Seminary (1904), 2020 Spencer, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:170][18] (DO09:0140-146)
Saunders County Courthouse and Jail (1904-1905, 1930), SE Corner 5th St. & Che Wahoo, Nebraska.[17] (SD16-012) National Register narrative
Crane Company Warehouse (1905), 914-24 Harney/323 S. 10th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[13:42][18] (DO:090123-021)
Building (1905), 724 N. 16th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0128-071)
Conservative Savings & Loan Association Building (1905-1906), 1614 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:131][18][g] (DO09:0124-022)
Gottlieb Storz House (1905-1907), 3708 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:123][17][18] (DO09:0319-003) National Register narrative
Building (1906), 1804 California St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0128-048)
Brace Lab (1906), University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Nebraska.[1]
Parlin, Orendorf & Martin Warehouse addition (1906), 1001-05 Jones, Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:1-50)
Lowe Avenue Presbyterian Church (1906), 1013 N 40th, Omaha, Nebraska.[4][13:36][18] (DO09:0325-001)
Ed P. Smith house (1906), 1313 Turner Blvd, Omaha, Nebaska.[13:173][18] (DO09:0204-080)
Building for H. Frederick (1906), 1320 Turner Blvd, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:173] (DO09:0204-075)
F. W. Judson house (1906), 3504 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:182][18] (DO09:0204-067)
Rowhouse (1906), 4117-19 Izard St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0325-032)
Rowhouse (1906), 4113-15 Izard St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0325-031)
Rowhouse (1906), 4109-11 Izard St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0325-030)
Fairmont Foods (1906, 1911, 1943), 1202-1218 Jones, Omaha, Nebraska.[17] (DO09:0121-074)
Judge Wm. Hayward house, (1906-1907). NE Corner 4th & 2nd Ave., Nebraska City, Nebraska.[11][17] (OT06:B-034)
Heber Hord Farmhouse (1906, 1923), 1505 16th, Central City, Nebraska.[17] (MK02-007) National Register narrative
Building (1907), 2103 Lothrup St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18]
Independent Telephone Company Building (1907), 936 N 24th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:32][18] (DO09:0215-002)
George W. Gilmore house (1907), 1030 S 32nd St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:84][18] (DO09:0206-028)
Mrs. C. B. Morton house (1907), 3566 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:183][18] (DO09:0204-056)
Fairbanks Morse & Company Warehouse (1907-1908), 902 Harney, Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0123-022).
House (1908), 123 N. 39th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0321-022)
House (1908), 3324 N. 16th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0142-049)
William Sedgewick house (1908), 1710 S 29th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:74][18] (DO09:0201-005)
The California Apartments (1908), 17th & California, Omaha, Nebraska.[5]
W. R. McFarland house (1908), 1916 Lothrop, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:142][18] (DO09:0142-027)
Department store (1908), 2114 N. 24th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0221-014)
St Anthony’s Catholic Church [Kostel Sv. Antonia Padua] (ca. 1908), Bruno, Nebraska.[6]
John Deere Plow Company Warehouse (1908-1909), 912 Howard, Omaha, Nebraska.[19:181][a] (DO09:0123-034)
Pershing Apartments (1908-1909), 823 S 24th, Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0120-001)
W. Graham Office Building (1909), 300 S 19th St, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:51]
Brick Store for Mrs. Sophie Lehman (1909), 4126 S. 10th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[24]
J. White house (1909), 1327 S 35th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:96][18] (DO09:0204-060)
J. Guild house (1909), 1335 S 35th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:97][18] (DO09:0204-061)
Hotel Howard (1909), 1002-1006 Farnam St., Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0121-010)
Charles Storz house (1909), 1901 Wirt, Omaha, Nebraska.[13:178][18] (DO09:0140-010)
House (1909), 1805 Lothrop St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0140-030)
Omaha Fireproof Warehouse (Bekins) (1909), 808 S. 16th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0120-006)
Empire State Building (1909), 1901 Farnam St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0124-039)
Doublehouse (1909), 2235 Howard, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0122-021)
Commercial Building (1909), 416 S. 10th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0121-052)
1910s
Louis Kirschbraun House (1910), 401 S. 38th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0319-016)
Kennedy Bldg (1910), 1517 Jackson, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0121-065) National Register narrative
Ashland Carnegie Library (1911), 207 N. 15th St., Ashland, Nebraska.[10][17] (SD01-053) National Register narrative
Schuyler Carnegie Library (1911), NW corner 10th & B, Schuyler, Nebraska.[10][17] (CX06-039) National Register narrative
Dwelling for Harry Rauchman (1911-1912), 1629 Lathrop St., Omaha, Nebraska.[26]
Commercial building (1912), 216 S 16th St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0124-037)
Baker Manufacturing Company Building and Warehouse (1913), 9th & Douglas, Omaha, Nebraska.[22][b]
Flat (1913), 2430 Grant St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0221-021)
Omaha Cold Storage Company (1913-1919), 809 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska.[17][18] (DO09:0068-008)
House (1919), 1629 Lothrop St., Omaha, Nebraska.[18] (DO09:0140-036)
Undated
Albion National Bank (n.d.), 140 S. 4th St., Albion, Nebraska. (BO02-001)
U.S. National Bank (n.d.), 1602 Farnam, Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:2-19) (?)
Considered for Grand Island Carnegie Library (n.d.).
Postal Telegraph Building (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[9]
Burwood Theater (n.d.).[20]
Young Men’s Christian Association Building (n.d.).[20]
Bennett Store (n.d.).[20]
Webster-Sunderland Building (n.d.).[20]
Schmoller and Mueller Building (n.d.).[20]
Woodmen of the World Building (n.d.).[20]
Notes
a. Oscar A. Eckerman, Architect; Fisher & Lawrie, consulting architects; C. A. P. Turner, reinforced concrete engineer; professor A. N. Talbot, consulting engineer; Leonard Construction Company, Chicago, contractor.[19:181]
b. Construction contract awarded to P. J. Creedon & Sons, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.
c. In association with Thomas Rogers Kimball, Architect. [17][18]
d. Reference [13] lists Fisher & Lawrie as the original architects as well as the architects for the addition.[13:141]
e. The firm is sometimes listed as Lawrie & Fisher.
f. Portrait in Nebraskans, 1854-1904 (Omaha: Bee Publishing Co., 1904). [978.2.B39n]
g. Stone carving by Jacob Maag; see "Historic Facade to be Restored," Omaha World Herald (November 1, 1992), 3F.
h. Lincoln Star described the new church prior to its dedication in June 1904. noting "Fisher & Lawrie of Omaha were the architects; Olson & Lawrence of Lincoln contractors. SEE "Will Dedicate The New Church--Second Presbyterians Will Occupy One of the Prettiest Buildings in City," Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (June 25, 1904), 5.
References
1. Lincoln Trade Review 1:48 (1902), 9.
2. Architectural Record 18:4, 315.
3. Lincoln Trade Review 1:2 (1902), cover.
4. City of Omaha Building Permit #459, June 18, 1906, plans.
5. City of Omaha Building Permit #1072, Sept 3, 1908, plans.
6. Dejiny Cechu Americkych VI:4, 263-264.
7. "Specifications for the erection and completion of a library building, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska; according to plans and specifications furnished for same by Messrs. Fisher & Lawrie, Architects.; Paxton Block, Omaha, Nebraska; Dec 3, 1894." on file (?) Nebraska State Historical Society or UNL -- See photo copy LC13-C9-7
8. Omaha Excelsior (November 26, 1892), 1 (drawing).
9. Omaha Excelsior (July 23, 1892) (photo).
10. Nebraska State Library Commission, architect & libraries file
11. "Judge Wm. Hayward's New Home," Nebraska City News (January 4, 1907), 1 copy in file OT06:B-034.
12. Building permit, see file DO09:15-5.
13. Landmarks, Inc., An Inventory of Historic Omaha Buildings (Omaha: City of Omaha and Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, 1980).
14. James B. Haynes, History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition of 1898 (Omaha: Committee on History, 1910), 107, 121, 123-125.
15. “Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition,” Omaha Public Library Website (1998) accessed July 7, 2003, <http://www.omaha.lib.ne.us/transmiss/buildings/liberalarts.html>
16. “Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition,” Omaha Public Library Website (1998) accessed July 7, 2003, <http://www.omaha.lib.ne.us/transmiss/buildings/auditorium.html>
17. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
18. City of Omaha Planning Department, Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission, Database, Query on Architects, May 20, 2002; courtesy of Lynn Meyer, Preservation Planner.
19. C. A. P. Turner, “Advance in Reinforced-Concrete Construction: An Argument for Multiple-Way Reinforcement in Floor-Slabs,” Engineering News 61:7 (February 18, 1909), 178-181, accessed through Google Books, November 14, 2012, http://books.google.com/books?id=DvNZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA181&lpg=PA181&dq=%22o+a+eckerman%22+architect&source=bl&ots=rHUTPZPWt-&sig=cCT4D3I33vQqdtXQwmas7SWyDbE&hl=en#v=onepage&q=%22o%20a%20eckerman%22%20architec&f=false
20. Omaha Daily Bee (January 1, 1906), 7.
21. The News Annual (Nebraska City, 1896).
22. “Contracts Awarded,” The American Contractor 34 (January 25, 1913), 61, accessed through Google Books, August 15, 2013, http://books.google.com/books?id=52lYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA61&lpg=RA3-PA61&dq=%22p+j+creedon%22+architect&source=bl&ots=PjdMtlXS5c&sig=D_O10h-QE1PKtZfxjGyaE9Vc9Lo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a_sMUvS0Hqbq2gWzuID4Dg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=%22p%20j%20creedon%22%20architect&f=false
23. Email to D. Murphy from E. Zimmer (May 30, 2003).
24. City of Omaha Building Permit #917, July 13, 1909.
25. City of Omaha Building Permit #3639, July 30, 1959.
26. "Omaha, Nebraska: Contracts Awarded," American Contractor 32:21 (May 27, 1911): 63.
27. "Kearney Daily Hub" (July 7, 1903),3.
28. "Plans for Library. Board Declare Fisher & Lawrie the Winners. Competition was Strong. Six Architects Submit Detailed Drawings. An Omaha Firm Meets Requirements Demanded--Building a Beautiful Structure," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (July 22, 1900), 1 (illustrated).
29. "St. Patrick's Church Dedicated," The McCook (Nebraska) Tribune, (May 20, 1904), 1 (illustrated).
Page Citation
D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “Fisher & Lawrie, Architects,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, June 18, 2022. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 25, 2024.
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